Hartford Woman Sentenced In Fatal Crash

HARTFORD – A 41-year-old woman who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when she caused a fatal crash in 2012 was sentenced Monday to three years in prison.

Evelyn Echevarria had previously pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle.

Her full sentence is 10 years, suspended after three years and three years of probation.

According to an arrest warrant, the crash happened about 2:30 a.m. Sept. 1, 2012. Echevarria was driving a 2010 Hyundai on Ansonia Street, approaching the intersection with New Britain Avenue.

A minivan driven by Tyramin Barnes of Hartford was on New Britain Avenue, also approaching the intersection, the warrant states. The Hyundai failed to yield while trying to turn left onto New Britain Avenue, a witness told police, and crashed into the van.

The witness said the minivan was traveling about 35 to 40 mph at the time of the crash.

Maria Rivera, 44, of Hartford, who was in the left rear passenger seat of Echevarria's car, was killed. An autopsy showed she died of multiple blunt traumatic injuries.

Echevarria's blood alcohol content was .11percent, above the legal limit of .08, a police report states. Her blood also tested positive for cocaine and opiates, which could be morphine, codeine or heroin, among other things.